Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) has been shown to be a very safe and effective treatment for men who have been diagnosed with andropause. The key of course is that the diagnosis be established, through history, physical examination and appropriate blood tests. In spite of this, some men who have the diagnosis still can't use testosterone replacement. These men include those with known prostate cancer or significantly enlarged prostates or known breast cancer. There is some question as to whether it should be used in men with sleep apnea. Your doctor will know whether this therapy is right for you.

Once started, the medication should begin to reverse the signs and symptoms of andropause relatively quickly. However, just as andropause tends to have a slow and subtle onset, to the point where you may not even notice it's happening until it's a full blown problem, the reversal of andropause with TRT will also be slow and subtle. There aren't likely to be any dramatic changes that happen overnight, so it's important to stick with it for at least 3 months, and keep track of how you're feeling with a treatment journal. There's also the possibility that your starting dose may need to be increased.

Some problems may get better faster than others. You may, for example, start to notice improvement in your mood, thinking and concentration within a few short weeks. Other changes may take a little longer, and it can be different for each individual. It's important to be patient, to keep track of the changes you're experiencing, and to convey as much information as possible to your doctor so you can work together to find the right product at the right dose.

What should I expect from Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)?

Positive responses to testosterone have been reported for men with low testosterone in various clinical studies. They include:

• Improvement in mood and sense of well-being
• Increased mental and physical energy
• Decreased anger, irritability, sadness, tiredness, nervousness
• Improved quality of sleep
• Improved libido and sexual performance
• Potentially less bone degradation and an increase in bone density
• An increase in lean body mass,
• Decreased body fat, particularly around the waist
• Increased muscle strength

The rate at which each of these improves varies between individuals, and it's important to remember that it does not work overnight. However, you should start to notice some improvement within a few weeks, and three months is probably a good time to sit down with your doctor and go over how you're feeling. Keep good track of any positive and negative changes, so you can work toward the right drug at the right dose, and ultimately a significant improvement in your life.

There are a number of types of testosterone replacement treatments available. These include: pills to take by mouth, transdermal patches and gels to apply to the skin, as well as injections. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each treatment to determine which is best for you.

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